Please review our questions and answers below. If you should require further information, please contact us :
Everything You Need to Know About Travelling to Our Region
What is the Red Lake Touring Region?
The Red Lake Touring Region is a beautiful location in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, that offers four seasons of fun with a multitude of exciting activities and events for everyone. The six communities that make up the Red Lake Touring Region are Red Lake, Ear Falls, Balmertown, Cochenour, Madsen/Starratt-Olsen, and McKenzie Island.
Where is the Red Lake Touring Region?
Located in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, the Red Lake Touring Region begins about 100 km (or 62 miles) from the Trans Canada Highway at Vermilion Bay. Highway 105 is your gateway to the serene wilderness and small town hospitality that awaits you along the way. Each community in the Red Lake Touring Region is easily accessible from Highway 105 and includes detailed signage and directions so you can journey to each area with ease.
How far is it from where I live?
| CITY NAME | KM TO REGION | MI TO REGION |
| Vermilion Bay | 72 km | 45 miles |
| Dryden | 159 km | 99 miles |
| Kenora | 181 km | 112 miles |
| Fort Frances | 323 km | 201 miles |
| Winnipeg | 387 km | 240 miles |
| Thunder Bay | 499 km | 310 miles |
| Minneapolis | 910 km | 565 miles |
| Des Moines | 1223 km | 760 miles |
| Milwaukee | 1447 km | 899 miles |
| Chicago | 1556 km | 967 miles |
| Kansas | 1618 km | 1005 miles |
| St. Louis | 1762 km | 1095 miles |
| Toronto | 1792 km | 1120 miles |
| Detroit | 1998 km | 1242 miles |
| Cleveland | 2095 km | 1302 miles |
| Oklahoma | 2184 km | 1357 miles |
| Dallas | 2548 km | 1583 miles |
| Buffalo | 2555 km | 1588 miles |
| Boston | 3209 km | 1994 miles |
Where is the airport located?
The Red Lake Airport is found in Cochenour and features a 5,000 foot asphalt strip and is serviced by Bearskin Airlines, Wasaya Airlines and Wildcountry Airways with connections to Air Canada, West Jet, Jets Go and Northwest Airlines.
Where can I stay?
There are numerous accommodations in the Red Lake Touring Region that will suit any style or budget. There are many comfortable hotels or motels, charming bed and breakfasts, and countless lodges that range from four-star resorts to rugged outposts. Even if you’re looking for something more remote, there are camping grounds with RV sites available. A complete list of accommodations is available in the Yellow Pages section on our site.
What festivals or events take place in the Red Lake Touring Region?
There are many events and cultural festivals that occur here year-round.
There is a complete list on our Events Calendar. The three most widely known events take place during the summer and include:
- The Norseman Floatplane Festival, held annually in Red Lake in July, celebrates our aviation history and features demonstrations, contests, great food, street performers and recreational events.
- The Trout Forest Music Festival is a well-established cultural event held in August. It’s an outdoor experience that takes place on the shores of the English River system in Ear Falls and features folk music by talented Canadian artists.
- The Red Lake Fall Classic Walleye Fishing Tournament draws a number of fishermen to the area. This catch-and-release tournament takes place on any of the five bodies of water surrounding Red Lake and offers substantial prize money. There is also a junior’s tournament for kids 12 and under.
Are there medical facilities?
Yes, this area is well served by a number of health care providers. The Red Lake Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital is a modern facility that offers basic health care services along with physiotherapy, chemotherapy, ultrasound and obstetrical services, just to name a few. A helipad is stationed outside the hospital and there are ambulance bases in both Red Lake and Ear Falls. The Red Lake Medical Clinic is located next to the hospital where five doctors practice. There is always a doctor on call. Other medical services in town include massage therapy, chiropractic care and dental treatment.
When are your hunting and fishing seasons open?
In Ontario, the seasons for different species of fish and their respective catch limits will vary. You can read about the current limits, regulations and guidelines at the Minsitry of Natural Resources Website: www.mnr.gov.on.ca for more information.
What licences and permits do I need?
As a resident of Canada, you will need a fishing Outdoors Card, which must have a valid and current licence tag attached to it. If you are a non-resident of Canada, your basic licence form must be signed and have the appropriate licence tags attached for it to be valid. Hunting licence requirements vary depending on where you live and the species of game animal you wish to hunt. For additional information regarding hunting or fishing licences, please contact the Minsitry of Natural Resources Website: www.mnr.gov.on.ca .
Remember that your Outdoors Card or non-resident licence is not transferable; it provides privileges to you alone. Be sure to carry it with you at all times when fishing or hunting. Most licences are available at local retailers in the Red Lake Touring Region, including sporting goods stores, marinas, and gas stations.
What kinds of fish are in your lakes?
The lakes of the Northwest region contain several species of fish including:
- Walleye,
- Northern Pike,
- Lake Trout
- Perch
- Bass
- and Muskellunge.
For more detailed information about size and catch regulations for each species, please contact the MNR or visit them online at the Minsitry of Natural Resources Website: www.mnr.gov.on.ca .
What can I hunt for?
Moose, deer and bear are most commonly hunted in this area as well as upland birds such as grouse. For a complete listing along with licence and tag pricing, contact the MNR or visit them online at the Minsitry of Natural Resources Website: www.mnr.gov.on.ca .
What shopping is available in the Red Lake Touring Region?
There are several shopping destinations in the Red Lake Touring Region that offer one-of-a-kind items. There are a number of unique gift shops where you will find souvenirs that truly represent the culture and heritage of this area as well as Canada as a whole.
You’ll also find clothing stores, art galleries, specialty shops and beverage retailers including The Beer Store and the LCBO. And no visit would be complete without treating yourself to a distinctive dining experience. Any one of the tasteful restaurants in the area offer home cooking with a Northern flair.
Are there golf courses?
Yes, in fact the Red Lake Touring Region is home to two courses. The Ear Falls Golf and Country Club is a nine-hole course carved from a scenic northern forest of spruce and pine. It also features rolling fairways with a few steep hills for added difficulty. A unique attribute of this course is the river that separates the 7th, 8th, and 9th holes. Not only is it picturesque, but it also forces golfers to save their best play for last – an extra challenge. And you won’t want to miss playing the most northerly 18-hole course in Ontario at the Red Lake Area Golf and Country Club. Overlooking the beautiful shores of Red Lake, this course offers an excellent mix of long holes, open and wooded areas, elevation changes and water obstacles. Both courses offer rentals, outdoor patios, and licenced lounge facilities. Please contact each club for hours of operation and pricing information.
What other recreational activities are available?
There are a multitude of recreational activities available within the Red Lake Touring Region for four-seasons of fun. For someone who would like to remain indoors, there are two recreation centres. Red Lake’s centre has squash courts and a complete fitness and aerobics room with weight training equipment. The Campbell Recreation Centre in Balmertown has an indoor pool, sauna and a fully equipped fitness facility. Also available in Balmertown is curling and bowling. For the outdoor enthusiast, there are rugged hiking and biking trails, tennis courts and numerous picturesque waterfront parks and clean sandy beaches.
The Red Lake Touring Region is also home to two of Ontario’s Provincial Parks – Pakwash and Woodland Caribou – which offer a multitude of outdoor activities for the eco-tourist. During the winter months, there are lots of outdoor activities like cross country skiing on McKenzie Island, snowmobiling on miles of groomed trails, downhill skiing near Ear Falls and snowshoeing throughout the region. The Red Lake Touring Region is yours to explore.
How can I contact the Red Lake Touring Region?
There are a number of ways to contact us:
Phone Toll Free: 1-877-COME SEE
Locally: (807) 727-3275
Fax: (807) 727-3285
E-mail:
Mail:
Box 250 Red Lake, ON P0V 2M0
Or drop into the office at 137 Howey Street in Red Lake.
Canada - U.S. Border Requirements
What should a U.S. traveller know before travelling to Canada?
If you are planning to travel to Canada from the United States, it is important to ensure you have all of the necessary information. Be sure to do your research well in advance of you trip to Canada. For information about travelling between the United States and Canada visit www.corporate.canada.travel/docs/host/us_kit/english.htm
Tourist Camps
